Firecrackers, stray bullets hurt over 200

MANILA, Philippines - Firecrackers and celebratory gunfire have injured more than 200 people despite a government scare campaign against reckless holiday revelries.

In its Aksyon: Paputok Injury Reduction (APIR) surveillance report, the Department of Health (DOH) noted that 142 or 72 percent of the 197 firecracker burns and injuries recorded since Dec. 21 were caused by illegal pyrotechnics.

But even legal fireworks such as luces caused 21 percent of the injuries.

The report, based on data collected from 50 sentinel hospitals nationwide, showed that of the 197 cases, 14 suffered

amputations while 31 sustained eye injuries. Of the cases, 122 were “active users” or directly handled firecrackers.

Metro Manila accounted for 122 of the cases, followed by Region 1 at 14; Region 4-A, 13; Region 3, 11; Region 9, nine; and Regions 5 and 11, seven each.

The DOH also recorded two cases of poisoning from firecracker ingestion.

The agency had asked those who were injured or suffered burns from firecracker blasts to see a doctor to prevent infections from setting in as they can become fatal in severe cases.

Health Assistant Secretary Enrique Tayag yesterday said most of those hurt were children. He said stray bullets also wounded eight people from Dec. 21 to 30.

Officials fear the number of injuries may rise as superstitious Filipinos bid goodbye to a year of natural disasters and economic uncertainties. They have warned revelers they risk amputations if they are hurt lighting up huge firecrackers.

The DOH has been distributing posters showing gruesome images of body parts as a result of firecracker-related accidents as part of its “Kontra Paputok” campaign.

‘Cracker related injuries in Bulacan rise

The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (PDRRMO) reported that cases of firecracker-related injuries in Bulacan alone climbed to 25, with one casualty.

Another tricycle filled with firecrackers exploded in Bocaue, Bulacan yesterday but no one was reported injured.

Senior Superintendent Fernando Mendez, Bulacan police director, said the explosion occurred at around 9:50 a.m. in Barangay Turo.

He said police were still investigating the cause of the explosion.

Liz Mungcal of the PDRRMO told The STAR that the driver of the tricycle suffered minor burns.

The explosion occurred less than a week after a tricycle loaded with firecrackers and pyrotechnic products exploded in Barangay Partida in Norzagaray town. John Ezekiel Silva, 6, from Guimba, Nueva Ecija, was killed while his father Noli suffered first- and third-degree burns and was rushed to Jose Reyes Memorial Medical Center in Manila.

Police said the Silvas were transporting pyrotechnic products they bought from Bocaue to Guimba, Nueva Ecija.

A joint report of the PDRRMO and the Provincial Public Health Office (PPHO) showed that 14 of the 25 firecracker-related injuries in Bulacan were caused by “piccolo,” while others were caused either by pla-pla, Goodbye Philippines, kwitis or skyrocket, luces and other pyrotechnics.

Dr. Joy Gomez of the PPHO said victims of firecracker-related incidents were rushed to the Bulacan Medical Center, Rogaciano Mercado Memorial Hospital, Baliuag District Hospital, San Miguel District Hospital, Calumpit District Hospital, Emilio G. Perez Memorial District Hospital, and the Gregorio del Pilar District Hospital.

Illegal firecrackers seized

Members of the Police Regional Office 3 (PRO 3) confiscated illegal firecrackers in Bocaue, Bulacan as part of its continuing campaign for a safe New Year revelry.

Chief Superintendent Edgar Ladao, PRO3 director, yesterday said Task Group “Batok” is monitoring the manufacturers and sellers of illegal firecrackers and pyrotechnics in Bulacan, particularly in Bocaue town.

Last Friday, a police team seized six pieces of Bin Laden, three packs of pla-pla, three pieces of Goodbye Philippines and a piece of atomic bomb in a house in Barangay Biñang 1st in Bocaue.

A certain Purita Celestino, 55, resident of Barangay Batia in Bocaue, was arrested for making illegal firecrackers in a shanty in Barangay Paningay in Balagtas, Bulacan.

Confiscated from the house of Celestino were 15 packs or 1,444 pieces of Super Lolo, 65 pieces of unfinished giant bawang, 887 pieces of unfinished small bawang, nine pieces of Coke in can bomb, and 128 pieces of atomic bomb.

Ladao has ordered Senior Superintendent Fernando Mendez, Bulacan police director, to file charges against Celestino.

Philippine National Police chief Director General Nicanor Bartolome earlier ordered the closure and cancellation of permits of three firecracker stores in Bocaue for selling illegal and killer firecrackers. - AP, Sheila Crisostomo, Ric Sapnu, Dino Balabo